SAPD wins DoJ grant to fight intellectual-property crime

San Antonio Police Department (SAPD) will receive $200,000 in federal grant money to combat the purchase and sale of counterfeit and pirated products.

SAPD officials will use this money to step up field investigations, seizure activities, arrests and prosecutions. The police department will also provide additional law enforcement training; public outreach and form partnerships with other agencies to crack down on intellectual property crime.

The Austin Police Department also received $200,000 to support its intellectual property crime efforts.

Robert Pitman, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Texas, made the announcement on Wednesday.

On the national stage, Attorney General Eric Holder and Deputy Attorney General James Cole disbursed $2.4 million in grants to 13 jurisdictions around the country to fight intellectual property theft.

“IP theft is not a victimless crime. It can devastate lives and businesses as well as undermine our nation’s financial stability, jeopardize the health of our citizens, and even threaten our national security,” Holder says.

Receive free daily breaking business news direct to your inbox or mobile device. Click on this link to sign up.